On August 7, 2024, in Owerri, NIRSAL Plc concluded a midyear training program for lead farmers and extension agents in the aquaculture and cassava sectors. The training took place in Imo, Sokoto, Kwara, and Oyo States and aimed to help farmers access and repay commercial loans. Over 2,000 participants, including state government representatives, attended the program.
NIRSAL's Agro Geo-Cooperative® approach focuses on lead farmers who can pass on new knowledge to their cooperatives. In Imo State, 500 participants gathered in urban and rural locations to learn about efficient fish production methods. Sokoto State had a similar focus, while the training in Oyo and Kwara States centered on cassava farming.
Mr. Uche Agabige, Chairman of the Imo State House Committee on Agriculture, praised NIRSAL for including Imo in this capacity-building program, believing it would enhance local agricultural productivity. Mr. Ibrahim Suleiman, Head of Value Chain Capacity Development at NIRSAL Plc, explained that the program is part of NIRSAL's Technical Assistance pillar, which aims to support agricultural value chain actors. The training was conducted simultaneously in the four states, covering three geopolitical zones.
Lead farmers and extension agents in aquaculture and cassava were trained in urban and rural locations in Sokoto, Oyo, and Kwara States. These lead farmers are expected to train 6,000 farmers across these states.
The NIRSAL teams received positive feedback and commendations from local officials, including the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development in Oyo State, the Akinyele Local Government Chairman, and the Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Farmers’ Interventions.
The training program also emphasized the formation of functional cooperatives with proper governance structures and discussed preparedness for potential protocol breaches and early warning systems. Participants expressed their satisfaction with the new insights gained and committed to sharing the knowledge with their cooperatives.
NIRSAL Plc, an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), aims to reduce the risks associated with agriculture and agribusiness financing. By doing so, it seeks to stimulate the flow of finance and investment into the agricultural value chain from various sources. The Imo training exercise is part of NIRSAL's five pillars, specifically the Technical Assistance pillar, which focuses on researching, developing, and promoting value chain improvement initiatives.
This training initiative by NIRSAL Plc is a significant step towards enhancing the skills and knowledge of farmers in Nigeria, ultimately leading to increased agricultural productivity and economic growth in the sector.
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